I found a local indy shop that comes very recommended, specialize in BMW, yadda yadda yadda. He and I have spoken a few times via email, and I asked him about doing the intake valve cleaning for DI motors and he stated that he does them and has done quite a few on BMW, Mini, and Audi. I called him the other day to ask about installing DP's, and remembered to ask about the intake valve cleaning and what he charges. He said its called an "Induction Service" and it is $179! Said they don't remove the manifold and media blast, that would be insanely expensive. He claims his induction service sees results and he's done quite a few of them.

Now, I'm feeling skeptical of this shop. Whats the general consensus? Has anyone heard of such a thing working using chemicals instead of physically getting in there and cleaning the stuff?

BG makes some good products... but I am not so sure it really addresses our carbon buildup problem on the N54/N55 motors. Also... BG is not sold in stores, but only thru repair shops. They have a "kickback" program: everyone from the parts and service manager, to the SA down to the tech gets a kickback. I have always found that kind of fishy to me.

I found a local indy shop that comes very recommended, specialize in BMW, yadda yadda yadda. He and I have spoken a few times via email, and I asked him about doing the intake valve cleaning for DI motors and he stated that he does them and has done quite a few on BMW, Mini, and Audi. I called him the other day to ask about installing DP's, and remembered to ask about the intake valve cleaning and what he charges. He said its called an "Induction Service" and it is $179! Said they don't remove the manifold and media blast, that would be insanely expensive. He claims his induction service sees results and he's done quite a few of them.

Now, I'm feeling skeptical of this shop. Whats the general consensus? Has anyone heard of such a thing working using chemicals instead of physically getting in there and cleaning the stuff?

If you need a good indy shop across the bridge in PO off of Powell (PacificMotorsport) 503-232-5545, they perform the wallnut blast cleaning and are also reasonable priced for all other services

Thanks for the heads up Rukuss! I bought the car from Luxeautohaus and they had it serviced by ProTek auto, which is in the same building. I had them put new plugs in. They said they'd install DP's, for $350 but they don't do the walnut blast cleaning.

If you need a good indy shop across the bridge in PO off of Powell (PacificMotorsport) 503-232-5545, they perform the wallnut blast cleaning and are also reasonable priced for all other services

Called them today. They aren't completely set up to do the process yet, but should be by next week. Said they'll do an intro price of $399 and need the car for half the day. He is supposed to call me next week.

Called them today. They aren't completely set up to do the process yet, but should be by next week. Said they'll do an intro price of $399 and need the car for half the day. He is supposed to call me next week.

Sweet they installed a CDV delete and a short shift kit on my car, and also they worked on my 335i back in the day, I have nothing bad to say about them, they are honest and fair priced

Briefly mentioned it and they said they do performance stuff, but didn't give me a price. Getting the car over there and getting back is an issue for me. Since the intake cleaning takes "half a day" as they said, I'd probably have to do the DP's and FMIC later, unless they can do it all at once. Doubtful since the car has to be on a lift for the DP/FMIC install and on the ground for the valve cleaning.

Briefly mentioned it and they said they do performance stuff, but didn't give me a price. Getting the car over there and getting back is an issue for me. Since the intake cleaning takes "half a day" as they said, I'd probably have to do the DP's and FMIC later, unless they can do it all at once. Doubtful since the car has to be on a lift for the DP/FMIC install and on the ground for the valve cleaning.

An induction service wont do anything to rid the DI system of its carbon buildup. This has been discussed in many, many other threads. The BG stuff is good stuff, but for the right application its intended for....

I have a friend who owns his own shop and uses BG products. Ive bought a bottle of the 44k for about 15 bucks I think. These shops are charging you labor mostly, not for the chemicals that make up some of these ridiculous repair bills. 180 for fuel induction service = seafoam or similar induction that cost them under 2o bucks in shop fees and straight profit on the labor....

Stay away from those who promote the induction service and find yourself someone who can do the media blasting on the valves. Can you clean the carbon off the valves without the walnut media blaster? Of course... It's done daily all over with the same process of removing the intake manifold, but the mechanic is taking more time and using chemicals the dissolve the deposits and using brushes and picks to scrape away all the gunk. The walnut blasting was designed to be faster and more efficient than the chemical scrub for DI engines and if you can find someone who can do it for under 600 than go for it. it's worth it.

christ on a cracker....and they could have prevented all this shit by installing an extra set of cheap low pressure injectors on the other side of the intake valve to wash the freaking things on start up....WTF!

A buddy of mine owns a tuning shop in SA, TX. He removed the carbon build up on my 60k mile 2009 135i.

He didn't want to do the media blasting method, but instead opted for the soaking method. He did my 60k maintenance at the same time as the intake valvle cleaning and had it all done the car back to me in 2 days. The price I paid for 60k maintenance and valve cleaning was great.

My intake valves had severe carbon build up. We're gonna do another valve cleaning before I get a meth kit on the car to see what kind of difference we see after 20k more miles.

He's actually looking for a 135i for himself if anyone is looking to sell theirs; he recently tuned a 135i for someone and was so impressed with the gains that he wants to tune his own.

Here's his contact info if anyone wants to get a hold of him for any reason.